MONTE-CARLO, Monaco, Nov. 23, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Phil Ivey beat out British player Paul Jackson to win the 2005 Monte Carlo Millions (www.montecarlomillions.com). Ivey took home $1 million and the coveted championship title of the first poker tournament to ever be held in the illustrious Casino de Monte-Carlo. The tournament will be broadcast across the U.S. on FSN and internationally through its broadcast partners in early 2006.
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For the past three days, 112 of the world's greatest poker players from 22 countries gathered in Monte-Carlo to play in the largest prize pool tournament in European history. Prima Network, the world's largest online poker network, guaranteed the $3 million prize pool. The field included 27 World Series of Poker gold bracelet holders and seven World Poker Tour champions. The No Limit Texas Hold'em final table results are as follows:
1. Phil Ivey $1,000,000 5. Richard Herbert $175,000 2. Paul Jackson $600,000 6. John Juanda $125,000 3. Marc Goodwin $300,000 7. Kenna James $53,000 4. Bengt Sonnert $250,000
"Coming to the final table as the chip leader, I couldn't do anything less than win," said 2005 Monte Carlo Millions Champion Phil Ivey. "I feel good; I stayed extremely focused and took my time."
Ivey had amassed a five to one chip lead on the underdog, Paul Jackson, coming into the head's up match. Jackson, who'd previously won a satellite to the Bay 101 Tournament on www.bet365.com, a card room on the Prima Network, was no stranger to tough opponents. But in Monte-Carlo, playing in the Private Salon in the most exclusive poker tournament in the world, Phil Ivey was too intimidating a force. In one intense hand Jackson bet $80,000 after the flop turned up J, J, 7. Ivey re-raised for $150,000 followed by another raise of $150,000 by Jackson. An icy cold Ivey contemplated his next move for what seemed an eternity and finally pushed all-in, psyching out "Action Jackson" who instantly folded.
Ivey, a five-time WSOP gold bracelet winner, grew up in New Jersey and began his pro poker career in Atlantic City. In 2000, at the age of 23, he won his first WSOP title besting the likes of Amarillo Slim and Phil Hellmuth in the $2,500 Pot Limit Omaha tournament. He has grown to become one of the most feared and respected poker players in the world.
"It was nice to be a part of this and to play here was amazing. I'm looking forward to coming back next year and defending my title. This has been a superb tournament," glowed Ivey.
Go to http://www.montecarlomillions.com/blog05d4a.php for complete tournament results, breathtaking photos and full coverage of the world's most incredible poker event.
About The Prima Network
The Prima Network is the world's largest online poker network. Powered by Microgaming software, the leading developer of Internet gaming systems, Prima licenses to more than thirty operators worldwide to form a global poker network. The Prima Network ensures that a critical mass of online poker players and a wide variety of games and tournaments are available at all times. Sought by online poker players and operators, the Prima Network symbolizes quality, representing the highest standards in online poker play, fairness, and credibility. For more information, please visit www.primapoker.net.
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